BUENA PARK,CA -The World Refugee Day was celebrated at the Yellow Chilli Banquet Hall, here on June 24. The event was organized by Kamlesh Chauhan, founder of Jagriti, and Dr. Amrit Nehru. It kicked of with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Indian National Anthem and the patriot song “Mere Vatan Ke Logo” sung by Rani Sood, which brought back memories and tears to every eye. Chauhan, recited a special poem to express her...

devotion for her Motherland, India, while Nehru said, the event was about commemorating the resilience, strength and patience of displaced people. Emcee for the event was Vasu Pawar. Speakers included Aziz Baloch, Amrit Nehru, Dr Madan Lal Goel, Kantilal Kamdar, and moderator Harshi Syal Gill.Baloch, is the coordinator for International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons.He urged the international community to play a role in stopping genocide in Baluchistan. A resolution was passed at the World Refugee Event organized by Jagriti and Kashmiri Hindu Foundation for India to lend its moral and diplomatic support to the Baloch people and their national struggle, oppose atrocities, mass enforced disappearance of Baloch men, women and children and targeted killing of the most educated section of Baloch society. He revealed that there are 25,000 Balochis in illegal custody of Pakistan Armed Forces in secret locations where they are facing inhuman torture and mistreatment. Dr. Nehru, appreciated the fact that India had given refuge to many including, Jews, Bangladeshis, His Holiness the Dali Lama and Tibetans among others and yet sad, that nothing much has been done to rehabilitate the Hindus in Kashmir. “Violence against humanity forces large number of people to run for safety and this needs to stop” he said. He also spoke about genocide of Kashmiri Pandits, who were condemned to ethnic cleansing from their own homeland, where they lived for thousands of years.As per his knowledge,he said the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits is the most unreported and underreported of our times. Goel, spoke on demographic changes and its impact on future elections in India.He is a professor of political science and director of international studies at the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. He did his Bachelors’ from Punjab University, his PhD from New York University and has written books and numerous articles on various subjects. Kamdar is an Indo-Burmese born and raised in Burma. Speaking on the Rohingyas he said, Myanmar has five linguistic groups, the Chin,Kachin,Shan , Karen Montravois and Arkan. Rohingyas have created the present problem for themselves. The Arkan started marrying Chittagong Bengalee Muslims. This mixed race was called Rohingyas.During the 1970 East and West Pakistan war,the Rohingyas supported West Pakistan and not East Pakistan and were later persecuted both by the Bengal Army as well as the Burmese Army. Kamdar said the Rohingyas will be at peace, as long they do not associate with terrorist groups from Pakistan.Harshi Syal Gill, who ably moderated the discussion, presented the synopsis and conclusion with knowledge and expertise. Omkar Bhaskar, a community leader, conducted the Question & Answer session. Harish Dhruv coordinated the event.